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Grapevine

Materials used in this chapter are published in book Biostimulant Albit for
increasing yields and protection of agricultures against diseases, A.K. Zlotnikov,
Ed. Prof. À. Melkumova. All-Russia Institute of Plant Protection, Russia, 2006.

Currently,
there is extensive experience test of Albit on grapevine. Biostimulant is
tested in field trials conducted in 2002-2004 in South-Caucasian region on
the following varieties of grapevine: Agat Donskoij, Denisovskij, Riton,
Riesling, Shardone, Muscat Hamburgskij. Field trials were conducted in
VNII Potapenko National Institute of Viticulture and Wine-making (RAAS) (Novocherkassk)
and North-Caucasian Zonal Institute of Gardening and Viticulture (RAAS) (SKZNIISV,
Krasnodar) in farms of Rostov region and Krasnodar krai, respectively. Positive
results were revealed in field trials in Ukraine: in National Scientific center
«Tairov's Institute of Viticulture and Wine production» and farm «Tairovskoe»
on varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Odesskii rannii, Odesskii chernii.
Since 2012, field trials on grapevine with Albit have been conducted in Czech
Republic (Institute of agriculture researches, Kromeriz, Zlinskii krai, variety Neuburske),
in Dagestan (Dagestan NII of Viticulture and Grape processed products, Mamedkala,
variety Rkaciteli, Prem'er), in Crimea (National Institute of Grapevine
and Wine, Magarach, Yalta) – on table varieties Moldova, Asma, Italian
muscadine, Red Globe, Chocolate and technical varieties Cabernet Sauvignon,
Sira, Pink muscadine).

Albit had stimulating and protective action on grapevine and also promoted
of restoring of vine after frosts in conducted field trials.

Stimulation of plant growth was detected on all plant organs:
stems, leaves and bunches. Albit increased annual increment of shoots by 28–64
%, single shoot increment by 28–56 %, ripened shoot increment by 59–64 %, number
of ripened grapes by 3.7–13.6 %, weight and plumpness of a bunch by 21–24 %.
As an example, here are results of trials in Krasnodar krai (Table 1).

Table 1. Influence of Albit on formation of seed-buds and
bunches (tests of North-Caucasian Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture
in Temryuk region of Krasnodar kray, 2004)

Treatment version

var. Riesling (Yubileynoye vinery)

var. Chardonnay ( Golubaya vinery)

bunch formation,
points

bunch weight,
% of control

bunch formation,
points

bunch weight,
% of control

Control

3

100

3.5

100

Albit 250 ml / hectare

4.2

124

4.4

121

Albit 250 ml/hectare + 1/2 dose of chemical fungicides

4.6

132

4.8

135

Standard chemical fungicides

4.1

128

4.4

125

LSD05

2

2.5

Data, obtained in farm Vinarstvi Bukovsky (Kobyli region, Moravia, Czech Republic),
clearly illustrate growth promoting effect of Albit. In the spring of 2014,
70 % of the vineyards of this farm were destroyed by hail according
to assessment of the insurance company. Thanks to the well-timed application
of Albit, the percentage of destruction of grapes has been reduced from 70
to 20 %. In this area each year hail caused great damage to vineyards, but
in previous years, when Albit was not used, reduction of the lesion after hail
was not occurred.

Besides hail, a very important problem of vineyards is overwintering. Since
2014, National Institute of Grapevine and Wine (Magarach, Yalta) have been
studying of Albit efficacy on grapevine after overwintering. Field trials were
conducted on var. Cabernet Sauvignon, Moldova, Asma,
Italian muscadine. It was shown that Albit promoted of potential ability
of grapevine to resist of low temperatures. Coefficient of fruiting, starch
content in shoots, differentiation of shoots were measured in these trials
(Table 2). As a result, the actual ability of the vine plantations to tolerate
frost rises by 22.4-27.9%. Albit application allows to shift the boundary of
the critical negative temperatures of all varieties to lower values (ca. by
2°C).

Treatments with Albit provide protection of grapevine against
oidium (average BE 70 %) and powdery mildew (average BE 50.5 %). Albit on grapevine
is registered like a fungicide (State Registration no.
1686-09-107-150-0-0-3-1) against oidium (at a slight development of disease).
Fungicidal activity of Albit was detected at disease prevalence 9-100 % and
disease development 1-90 %. Albit retarded disease development on both vegetative
(leaves and shoots) and generative (bunches) organs.

Trials of North-Caucasian Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture also revealed
high efficiency of Albit against branch necrosis (BE 79.2 %); however, it requires
additional studying. Possibly, Albit-dependent acceleration of shoot growth
is partially determined by Albit activity against branch necrosis, since its
pathogenic agent (Phomopsis viticola Sacc.) causes damping-off of
bunches and death of buds.

The final result of stimulating and protective action of Albit is increased
yield of grapes. According to data of trials, application of Albit increases
yield averagely by 23.1 % (yield increase 1.93 t/ha). Use of Albit
in Crimea (2014) increased yield of table varieties by 10.9 % (drip
irrigation) and by 26.5-63.8 % (rain-fed conditions).

Data on Albit efficacy on grapevine in different regions are
summarized in Table 3.

Table 3.

Country, year

Variety

Yield increase after Albit application,
%

Biological efficiency of Albit
against
diseases, %

Russia
(Rostov oblast), 2002

Agat, Denisovskij

n/d *

43-59 %

Russia
(Rostov oblast), 2003

Agat, Donskoj, Riton

n/d

1-86 %

Russia
(Krasnodar krai), 2004

Risling, Shardone

21-24%

38-100 %

Russia
(Krasnodar krai), 2005

Pino blan,
muscadine Hamburgskij

7-98 %

23 %

Russia (Crimea), 2014

Asma, Moldova, Cabernet Sauvignon

11-64 %

n/d

Russia (Crimea), 2015

Asma, Moldova, Cabernet Sauvignon

10-16 %

n/d

Russia (Crimea), 2016

Asma, Moldova, Cabernet Sauvignon

7-120 %

n/d

Russia (Dagestan), 2014

Prem'er, Rkaciteli

30-36 %

4-18 %

Ukraine
(Odessa oblast), 2011

Cabernet Sauvignon, Odesskij early

22-31 %

n/d

Czech Republic, 2012

Neuburske

22-66 %

53-94 %

Czech Republic, 2014

Chardonnay klon, Muskat moravsky,
Rulandske bile, Muller

167 % (after hail damage)

Austria, 2013

Blaufrankisch, Zweigelt

the same
(when using Albit and chemical
fungicides)

the same
(when using Albit and chemical
fungicides)

Switzerland, 2014

Ugni-blanc

n/d

97 % (Albit + fungicide)
61%
(pure fungicide)

Hungary, 2015

Pinot noir

17 %

n/d

Note: *n/d - no data (study was not conducted)

Application recommendations: Foliar spraying of vineyard
is performed with Albit solution conc. 3 g/10 L. Recommended consumption rate
of Albit is 260-325 g/ha (200-250 mL/ha). Consumption rate of working solution
– 1000 L/ha, 10 L/100 m2. Sprayings should be carried out before and after
blossoming, at the beginning of grapes growth, in stages of bunch formation
and grape coloration. As a rule, 3 sprayings in vegetation period is enough,
but number of treatments may be increased up to 5, if it is necessary. Number
of treatments is determined by length of plant protection period of Albit (15
days approximately). Earlier treatments are the most effective ones.

Application of Albit should be incorporated into the standard grapevine
protection system used in vineries. Albit is used in tank mixes
with chemical insecticides and fungicides in frames of scheduled treatments
against diseases and pests. Application of Albit makes possible decreasing
or even complete abolishment of using of chemical fungicides, that decreases
treatment expenses and helps to obtain organic production.

Portion of fungicides which might be replaced with Albit, depends on kind
grapevine diseases: mildew and oidium. According to data in Krasnodar krai
and Rostov oblast, efficiency of Albit against powdery mildew is not inferior
to standard chemical plant protection products. Fungicidal activity of Albit
can be observed at both low and high level of disease development (development
– up to 90 %, prevalence – up to 100 %). Therefore, for control of powdery
mildew, Albit is able to replace chemical fungicides completely.

Efficiency of Albit against powdery mildew of grapevine is considerably lower
than against oidium (~50 %). Moreover, protective action of biostimulant against
mildew is considerably decreased with increase of damage rate (Fig. 2). In
figure you can see data of field trials VNIIViV and SKZNIISV according researches
of biological efficàcy of Albit and chemical fungicides against this disease
(logarithmic approximation).

Full fungicide effect of Albit against mildew on level of chemical standard
(shown in the plot) can be considered at degree of development of this disease
less than 5 %. At higher level of development disease, Albit ñan be applied
together with chemical fungicides. At combination chemical fungicides with
Albit, their consumption rate may be considerably decreased. Our field trials
were shown, that at use of Albit in mix with halved doses of chemical
fungicides, efficacy protective treatments against mildew does not inferior
use of full doses of «chemistry». In many cases, comprehensive treatment
with use of Albit is even more effective by 5–10 % (Fig. 2).

For example, in field trial of North-Caucasian Institute of Horticulture and
Viticulture (carried out in Yubileynaya vinery) for protection grapevine (var. Riesling)
against diseases, it was used the following technique:

At use of Albit, application rates of these pesticides were decreased twice
and they were mixed with Albit. Resulting efficiency of original treatment
against downy mildew was 92 %, whereas combination of Albit and halved doses
was 99 %.

Using of chemical pesticides of last generations aggravates problem of acquiring
resistance to pathogens. So, partial or complete substitution of chemical fungicides
to Albit has a great importance because resistance is not almost delivered
to immunizers.

In field trials SKZNIISV use of Albit with halve doses fungicides allows to
control the development of grapevine diseases by 84-100 %, on level full chemical
doses and reduce cost of treatments by 200-700 rubles per ha at preservation
protective effect.

All professional winegrowers know that it is often difficult to achieve full
gamma of flavoring qualities in new soil-climate conditions of grapevine varieties
brought from far away. For example, in Zakarpattya Regions of Ukraine on vineyards
of famous farms «CHIZAI» and «AISBERG», use of Albit increased the survival
rate of cuttings, grapevine performing, strengthen of grapevine, provides
excellent and quality crop (the best in the region) at reducing the consumption
rate of chemical fungicides. But most grapevine aroma amazes agronomists - varietal
aromas repeatedly strengthened. Thus, strength of aroma proportional
goes into wines. It was noted that in farm «Magarach» (2011) old Crimean table
variety Asma (in recent decades variety Asma lost several
tasting and biochemical characteristics) under Albit treatment restored usual
bouquet of flavor. Albit treatment increased total score of taste and flavor
and led to more uniform color of berries (Fig. 3).

Perhaps, when use of chemical fungicides in full dose, pesticide stress interferes
realization of genetically incorporated programs of synthesis of aromatic metabolites
in ripening berries, and Albit took off this stress limitation while maintaining
protection against diseases.

In general, based on experimental data îbtained on grape (variety Moldova,
Asma, Cabernet Sauvignon) in South coastal zone of Crimea (Magarach,
2014), it can be concluded that:

Biostimulant Albit (Liquid paste) has strong antidote and growth-stimulating
action, allowing to save yield as well as considerably increase productive
parameters of table and technical varieties of grapevine compared to control
(standard scheme of plant protection) even in extremely droughty conditions
in 2014). Positive effect of Albit ÿðêî ïðîÿâëÿëîñü êàê in variants with use
full dose of chemical fungicides as well as when using reduced consumption
rate of fungicides; on table as well as technical varieties of grapevine; on
drip irrigation as well as on rain-fed conditions.

When using Albit, yield was increased by 10.9 % vs. control (standard
scheme of plant protection without Albit) via drip irrigation, and on rain-fed conditions
by 26.5–63.8 %. Caliber and weight of 100 grape berries were significantly
increased (by 9.9–101.1 % to control), bunch weight by 7.0–86.6 %.

Albit treatment had positive effect on several parameters of harvest
quality. Concentration of sugars in technical grape var. Cabernet
Sauvignon during harvesting exceeded control parameters by 13.5 %, titrated
acidity was less than in control by 6.7 %. In table varieties of grape (Moldova, Asma)
these parameters practically unchanged, however, based on results of organoleptic
evaluation of berries, score of outward appearance (bunch elegance and berries)
was increased by 18.7–46.1 % to control, taste and fragrance by 9.5–16.2 %.
Uniform color of berries is noted. In all varieties under Albit treatment decreasing
of content of pesticide residues in yield is noted (by 31–90 % vs. control).

Using Albit treatment of studied grape varieties also affected on synthesis
of phenolic compounds and flavoring substances. In average,
in all varieties Albit led to increasing the content of anthocyanin pigments
in berries by 24.4 %, flavonols by 5.9 %, stilbenes by 32.8
%, and sum of flavanols is increased only in drip irrigation.
It can be noted that increasing was observed in variants with decreased consumption
rate of fungicides. Since Albit has immunizing effect against diseases, in terms
of product quality, it is the most advisable to use Albit with reduced dosages
of chemical fungicides by 20-25 %.

Albit improved grape preservation during storage by 31.7-100
%, contributing reduction of natural decline the weight of bunches by 28.1-52.8
% to control and preservation of taste and fragrance of berries. In addition,
Albit treatment contributed to increasing the proportion of colloid-bound water
and reduction of free fraction of water in the berries, which determined the
higher tasting evaluation in parameter «properties of peel and pulp of berries».
This feature determines improvement of barriers safety as well as this feature,
probably, is a fundamental mechanism of increase of plant drought resistance.

The revealed regularities were also confirmed by field trials in 2015 and
2016. The results of field trial (2016) are presented in Table 4.

Note:
* - there is no a common tendency in Albit action on parameter
** N/A - non applicable (study was not conducted)

In Potapenko All-Russia Institute of Viticulture and Wine-making (Novocherkassk,
Rostov oblast), a
high efficacy of Albit for obtaining of hybrid seeds and breeding seedlings
of grapevine was observed. In this Scientific Institute method
for obtaining of transplanted seedlings with using Albit (Malyh,
Titova, 2015)
was developed and patented: joining of tree stock with scion, waxing of inoculations,
stratification on glauconite, landing into nursery (for seedlings of the first
cultivation year) and treatment of plants. Albit is used during stratification
step as additive to nutritious medium (concentration 0.4%) and for seedlings
landed into nursery (solution of Albit 0.2%, two times per month during vegetation
season; totally, 6 times).
Application of Albit for activization of jointing of inoculation allows to avoid
application of chemical fungicides during stratification period. In this case,
seedlings are resistant to pests and diseases, while reducing the cost of production.

Due to the intensification of physiological and biochemical processes, Albit
increases establishment of inoculations in nursery and accelerates growth and
development of plants: survival rate of cuttings increases by 10-70%. Plant growth,
number of leaves, average length of inoculation (up to 90% higher than in control),
average length of matured shoots (up to 2 times higher than in control), area
of leaf surface (up to 80% higher than in control) increase. The yield of inoculated
seedlings increases by 26–110%. An increased content of microelements is observed
in shoots, leaves and roots. At the same time, the growth of shoots during the
vegetative period is enhanced both in the apical and in the lateral meristem.
The maturing and the quality of the planting material are improved.

It is considered to be prospectively use of Albit on grapevine on own
plots. Complex action biostimulant allows without use of «chemistry»
to provide protection of home vineyard against diseases, to reinforce growth
of vine and to increase its crop. So, certainly Albit will be demand by private
owners. In addition, ñonsumption rate of Albit per 100 m2 is only 3 mL.

With use of Albit horticulturist innovator V.E. Tochilin (Novopolotsk,
Belarus) not only effectively protects his most northerly vineyard against
diseases and frosts, but also gets an impressive crops of environmentally friendly
products of dozens of different varieties.

Albit is one of the few biostimulants for protective of plants against diseases
that are authorized for use on grapes, on the sanitary classification relating
to hazard class 4 (practically non-toxic compounds). Biostimulant is allowed
to use in organic farming in European Union countries. Use of Albit allows
to reduce applying more toxic standard fungicides, assigned to I-III classes
of hazard. Some of them (copper-containing) are not only toxic for animals
and human, but often cause burns on grapevine. Many chemical pesticides, used
for grapevine protection, can be persisted in crop and can cause allergies,
poisonings, dysfunctions and even cumulative genetic effects in use of grapes
into food. Based on data in Magarach, use of Albit led to reducing of residual
pesticides in the crop by 31 to 90 % to control. Therefore, from the point
of view of environmental safety and nutritional value of obtained products,
reduction of chemical press at grapevine treatments is also important, especially
in the cultivation of food varieties.